Wilhelmina Beatrice "Bess" Houdini - Valhalla, New York - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Wilhelmina “Bess” Houdini is best known as the wife and stage assistant of illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini. She performed with Harry throughout his career and as his assistant, she had intimate knowledge of how the illusions and escapes were accomplished. Following Harry’s death in 1926, Bess continue to perform a vaudeville act that eventually failed. In the early 1930’s, Bess moved to Hollywood where she promoted herself and Harry’s memory by performing Séance’s where she would attempt to contact Harry and other’s in the spirit world. Bess Houdini, died on board a train while traveling from Los Angeles to New York on February 11, 1943. She is buried in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.

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Description: Wilhelmina Beatrice “Bess” Houdini, was born on January 22, 1876 in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of a German cabinet maker and during her youth she worked in a song and dance act on Coney Island. It was here that she met brothers Theodore and Harry Houdini. On June 2, 1894 she and Harry were married and she and Harry began to perform together in a vaudeville act. Later Harry began to incorporate feats of illusions and escapes into their act. Harry became known as the Handcuff King and over time their feats of illusions and escapes became more and more elaborate. Over the years Bess, managed the bookings and made costumes for the act. Bess was almost always on stage with Harry and had intimate knowledge of each of his tricks. Harry died on October 31, 1926, and Bess continued to perform an unsuccessful vaudeville act. After the act failed she moved to Hollywood in the 1930’s and worked at promoting the memory or Harry Houdini by performing Séance which she would attempt to connect with Harry’s spirit. Bess Houdini died on February 11, 1943 in Needles, California. She suffered a heart attack near Needles while traveling by train from Los Angeles to New York. Her family would not permit Bess to be buried with Harry in the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens since she was raised in the Catholic Faith. Wilhelmina “Bess” Houdini is buried in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Date of birth: 01/22/1876 Date of death: 02/11/1943 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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